Fadnavis releases BJP manifesto for BMC polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party released its manifesto for the upcoming Mumbai civic polls.

Mumbai, Feb 7: A grand memorial of late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, right to water, preserving open spaces, exclusive toilet blocks for women are among the highlights of the BJP manifesto for the Mumbai civic polls released on Tuesday.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis released the manifesto which promises a slew of sops for the residents of the metropolis, where the BJP is all set to take on its one time ally in BMC the Shiv Sena in the February 21 polls.

Gender budgeting, seamless travel across all modes of transport, health insurance cover, preserving biodiversity, are some other promises made by the BJP in its poll document. Prominent assurances in the 18 page Mumbai BJP manifesto include providing clean drinking water to whoever demands it under the right to water.

While implementing its 'Dust free Mumbai' concept, the Mumbai BJP has promised to bring back the British Raj practice of 'washing of Mumbai roads'. Until all areas under BMC jurisdiction are not fully connected with sewerage lines, residents in those areas where sewer lines are not laid will not have to pay sewerage tax, says the BJP manifesto.

Taking note of the use of 1.2 MLD of drinking water to clean 28 lakh registered cars and other vehicles, the manifesto provides for setting up Sewerage Treatment Plants which shall provide recycled water for car, vehicle washing, mentions the manifesto. The movement of garbage pickup trucks will be monitored and tracked through GPS.

The city will have its own e-waste disposal system. Public toilets in slums will be provided with free water and electricity, it said. In a bid to woo women voters, the manifesto promises Gender Budgeting and Rs 5,000 will be deposited in Fixed Deposit for every girl child born in BMC hospitals. A Rs 5 lakh health insurance cover for the entire family. No Mobile Tower will be allowed to be put up in public gardens, says the BJP manifesto.

It makes it mandatory upon BMC officers to ensure protection of open spaces. Inviting suggestions from the people on fixing reservation on open spaces, gardens and other civic amenities under the Development Plan. The manifesto pledges to protect the natural biodiversity of Mumbai like lakes, jungles, rivers, wetlands and mangroves, mapping of noise level, installing sound absorbers and sound cutters in 1,503 Silent Zones in Mumbai.

Starting Kindergarten class in all BMC schools, making Mumbai hoarding free, linking Wi-Fi and CCTV network with Digital Policing and Fire Brigade services and starting Mini Fire Tender services in congested narrow bylanes in slum pockets are included in the manifesto.

PTI